Maybe he just decided to take a later train today, Rei thought as the minutes before class time ticked away. He didn't honestly blame him if he had; after all, Nagisa's feelings were probably hurt after their conversation two days ago too and chose to avoid any awkward silence between them. I'm sure I'll see him at lunch...

Just then he heard footsteps in the hallway and instinctively looked for the source. His eyes widened in surprise behind his burgundy frames when he saw Nagisa staring back, not in his uniform but in casual clothes.

I must be seeing things...

Breaking eye contact first, Rei stared down at the textbook in front of him. Taking a deep breath, he looked at the doorway one last time, but Nagisa was gone.

As Rei was about to go to the roof for lunch, his homeroom teacher lifted up a hand. "Ryugazaki-kun, would you please stay for a moment?"

Walking up to the teacher's podium, Rei answered, "Yes, Ma'am?"

"The principal just informed me that Hazuki-kun will be absent for the next few weeks. As a fellow member of the swim club and someone who lives near him, would you be willing to bring him his assignments to complete at home?"

Rei felt the blood slowly drain from his face. "N..Nagisa-kun isn't here today?"

His teacher seemed confused as she raised her eyebrows at him before responding. "I can't imagine anyone expecting him to be here in his condition. Didn't he tell you?"

He lowered his eyes in shame. Yes, he did, but I didn't believe him. Bowing slightly, he said, "I can do that for him."

Smiling, his teacher answered, "Thank you, Ryugazaki-kun. You can pick up the day's work from Ms. Hyoto at the end of the day."

Rei bowed again and excused himself to the roof, quickly climbing the stairs and looking for the swim club manager.

The atmosphere around the pool was unusually somber as the lack of Nagisa's presence was instantly noticed. Although Rei didn't say more than necessary, Gou could tell that having to say it out loud upset him. And his emotions betrayed him further as his swimming became erratic and his lap times suffered. As the swim club manager, Gou decided to focus on the swimmers in front of her rather than dwelling on Nagisa's situation for now. Being a third year herself, she needed to make the most of her time with the club.

And if that meant pushing them to their limits, then that's what she was going to do.

As the team went to the club room to change, she walked up to Rei and asked quietly, "Do you want some company on the way home tonight?"

Touched by her concern, Rei smiled at her and shook his head. "Not tonight. I have to make things right with Nagisa-kun...if I can."

Returning the smile, Gou nodded in understanding. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Rei-kun."

Nodding, Rei replied, "Good night, Kou-san."

When she was a safe distance away, Rei let out a long sigh and went to the club room to change and catch the train to Nagisa's house.

When he rang the doorbell at the Hazuki residence, it took nearly all of his will power to not drop the file folder he was holding and run away as fast as he could. He had spent the train ride trying to think of the right words to say, but now that he was here the words seemed to be lost on the wind. A few seconds later, the door opened and was greeted by a teary-eyed Mrs. Hazuki.

"Rei-kun, thank you for coming. I'm so sorry to trouble you with getting Nagisa his school work."

"It's not a problem, Mrs. Hazuki," Rei replied, handing her the folder. "May I speak to Nagisa-kun for a moment?"

"He's resting in the family room," she said, opening the door wider and inviting him inside. "Would you like some tea?"

"No, thank you. Please don't trouble yourself," he answered.

Smiling for the first time that day, she said, "Mr. Hazuki and I will be in the kitchen if you need us."

"Thank you," Rei replied, and made his way to the family room where Nagisa was lying on the couch watching a movie. He was about to ask his mom who was at the door when he noticed his co-captain standing in the doorway. Dishevelled and slightly pale, Nagisa looked surprised to see him. Sitting up and putting his feet back on the floor, he made an attempt to stand, but Rei quickly moved in front of him and gently put his hands on his shoulders.

"Please, Nagisa-kun, just let me say this. I'm really sorry for reacting the way I did yesterday. I didn't want to believe it, but when I saw you in the hallway this morning, I knew I couldn't lie to myself any longer. If you need anything I will do it." Bowing deeply, he added, "And if you cannot forgive my selfishness, I will do whatever it takes to earn your trust again."

"Rei-chan..."

Hearing the emotion in his voice, Rei looked up to see his friend in tears.

"There's nothing to forgive. But I will only ask one thing from you and Gou-chan."

"Anything."

"Don't make me go through this alone," Nagisa said. "Haru-chan and Mako-chan...I can't burden them with something like this...I don't know if I will be able to hang out at your house much, but you are welcome to come here. We can still do homework, watch movies, whatever." He paused before adding, "I might have to quit the swim club though. There's no point if I can't swim."

"Do Haruka-senpai and Makoto-senpai know?"

Nagisa lowered his eyes and said nothing.

"Well, we can talk about your place on the swim club another time, Nagisa-kun," Rei replied as he walked towards the door. "I'll see you tomorrow after practice."

Mustering a small smile, Nagisa said the first thing that came to mind.

"Sure, Rei-chan."

I'm not sure how long I will make this story, so if you could leave a message and let me know if this is a good place to leave it or keep going.